The Grange Festival is a hub of cultural excellence, attracting an audience from around the globe thanks to its outstanding productions, warm hospitality, and unique location. The summer festival, held annually, exists to bring world-class opera, jazz, dance and theatre performances to The Grange in Hampshire – one of the most celebrated neo-classical mansions in Great Britain and a Grade One Scheduled Monument owned by Mark Baring, Lord Ashburton (a member of the historic banking family). The Festival’s Artistic Director is the internationally-renowned English countertenor, Michael Chance CBE, who curates a diverse range of cultural experiences to appeal to all tastes.
The program of events and the opportunity to watch world-class opera in a spectacular English country house setting and enjoy a dining experience during the long interval is an enticing proposition in itself. The wonderful location of The Grange, nestled in the idyllic Hampshire countryside on the edge of the stunning South Downs National Park – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) presents opera-lovers with a chance to enjoy the stunning surroundings. The Festival is situated a few miles from the North Wessex Downs (also an AONB) and is in close proximity to a number of historic cities and places of interest. A visit to The Grange Festival is the perfect opportunity to explore the magical heart of Hampshire and the neighboring counties.
Winchester
England’s original capital city, Winchester is located a mere ten miles away from The Grange. This picturesque city is internationally-famed for its medieval Cathedral with its numerous monuments and treasures, notably The Winchester Bible and the Morley Library, as well as being the burial place of the English novelist Jane Austen. The great Hall of Winchester Castle houses the medieval round table linked to King Arthur. There are many scenic walks around this attractive city, including the daily route that the poet John Keats took in 1819 which inspired his famous ode ‘To Autumn’.
Jane Austen’s House
Jane Austen, one of England’s most celebrated authors, lived and wrote her novels in a cottage in the charming rural village of Chawton, located around 15 miles from The Grange. The cottage, which provided her with an important source of inspiration for her writing, is a five-minute walk from Chawton House, a romantic 400-year old manor house that was once owned by Jane’s brother, Edward, which Jane referred to as the “Great House”.
Hinton Ampner
Located just four miles from The Grange, Hinton Ampner is a country house with an outstanding collection of furniture, paintings and objets d’art and garden, considered a masterpiece of 20th century design.
Selborne and Gilbert White’s House and Gardens
The Grange is situated around 17 miles from the picturesque village of Selborne and Gilbert White’s House and Gardens. This charming country home, set in 25 acres of gardens and ancient parkland, was home to the naturalist Reverend Gilbert White, the world’s first ecologist and author of ‘The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne’, which has never been out of print since it was first published in 1789.
Highclere Castle
This majestic castle, home to George Herbert, 8thEarl of Carnarvon, is famously the main location for the internationally-acclaimed historical drama series ‘Downton Abbey’. Highclere Castle is a 30-minute drive from The Grange.
Salisbury
The medieval city of Salisbury is famed for its Cathedral, with the tallest spire in Great Britain, the oldest clock in the world, and one of the original copies of the Magna Carta. The city is a 37-mile drive from The Grange.
Stonehenge
The World Heritage Site of Stonehenge is one of the best-known prehistoric monuments in Europe and is located 40 miles away from The Grange.A powerful testament to human ingenuity, creativity and imagination, there is a world-class exhibition which allows visitors to explore the monuments and mysteries of the wider Stonehenge landscape.
Windsor
Slightly further afield, but nevertheless under an hour’s drive, is the world-famous city of Windsor, with its imposing Castle; the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. Home to British monarchs for over 1000 years, it is where HM The Queen used to spend most of her private weekends, and is also where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married in 2018.
